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Here we are at the end of September. This only means that Apple will announce soon enough when the next media event will take place. The new media event should be placed somewhere between end of October and middle of November. The products refreshed or upgraded at the "it's Only Rock and Roll" event in September were part of the iPod line, shuffle, classic, touch (refreshed) and nano (upgraded). The end of fall Apple media event is focused on all Mac computers. Don't get too carried away, we will probably see more refreshed models that upgraded or for that matter of fact, new models. I know what you are thinking, "What about the Apple touch tablet netbook?"

First of all, this new gadget will not surface on the market until the beginning of 2010. However, this doesn't mean that Apple can't make a preview at the last media event of this year. The Apple tablet will probably be branded and marketed as the ultimate netbook experience (net-touch MacBook). Furthermore, let's make an analysis between what Apple currently has to offer, and what it could offer in the Mac computer lines in six to eight weeks.

For the MacBook line, well, you only get one model, so it is not that accurate to call it line. Before the actual launch of the refreshed models, Apple will diminish the $999 price tag of the white MacBook. The current model is equipped with a 2.13 GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 2 GB 800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (2 x 1024 MB), and a storage capacity of 160 GB Serial ATA Drive at 5400 rpm. When it was launched, the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphic chipset seemed like a great choice. Notice that the white MacBook doesn't include any additional software beside the operating system.

What can MacBook line get? You will not see a refresh of the current model. This version will probably take the same turn like the iPhone 3G did. Apple will keep this configuration, offering it for less (probably $799 - $849). Apple will consolidate the MacBook line with another laptop model, with a slightly better configuration: 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (2 x 1024 MB), SD card slot, with the same 160 GB hard drive and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphic chipset (all for $999). Apple will probably introduce again the glossy black lid for this MacBook configuration.

For the Macbook Pro line, Apple will not reduce the price tags. However Apple will refresh the 13 inches MacBook Pros. The current entry level configuration of the 13 inches Macbook Pro includes an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.26 GHz processor, 2 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (2 x 1024 MB), with a serial ATA drive of 160 GB running at 5400 rotation per minute, SD card slot, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphic chipset, and built in seven hour battery. What can the new entry level get? Not a better processor, because the current one provides sufficient performances. However, Apple might include a 4 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (2 x 2048 MB) and a 250 GB hard drive for the entry level (it is mandatory in order for Apple to keep in pace with the laptop configurations offered by Dell and Acer). The 13 inches entry level MacBook Pro will keep the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphic chipset (the current price tag will be kept, $1.199).

The second version of the 13 inches MacBook Pro, has a Intel Core 2 Duo 2.53 GHz processor, 4 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (2 x 2048 MB), 250 GB hard drive, SD memory card slot, built in 7 hour battery, and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphic chipset. The refreshed model will bring a better storage capacity, 320 GB serial ATA drive (5400 rotation per minute), and the NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT with 256MB dedicated (at least in the configuration process). The 15 inches MacBook Pro with 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, will get an upgrade to 2.66 GHz. It will still boast the 4 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (2 x 2048 MB), an 320 GB hard drive (5400 rotations per minute) and the NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT with 512 MB dedicated (at least in the configuration process).

Also the current 2.66 GHz 15 inches MacBook Pro with Intel Centrino 2 technology, will receive the 2.8 Intel Core 2 Duo processor, and the double graphic chipset (NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT, but with 512 MB, and a better battery life). The third version of the 15 inches MacBook Pro is likely to go extinct because of the price tag ($2.299 to close to the $2.499 of the 17 inches Pro). The 17 inches MacBook Pro will basically keep its excellent features, but will probably get a new 3.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, while the rest of the specs list, including the price tag will remain the same.

If you remember, back in 2008, when the first MacBook Air was released, the two configurations available were separated by almost $1000 difference. Right now, the two configurations are separated by only $300. Although the technology was improved dramatically, we still can't expect other specs from the Air. Maybe a bigger processor, replacing the 1.86 GHz with 2.13 GHz and introducing the 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo. The prices will be kept.

We analyzed all the Apple laptops with what they currently have to offer, and what they might offer in less than two months. In a future article, we will take a look at the Mac mini (which will probably be skipped in this fall refresh), Mac Pro (Apple is planning to bring even better performances to it), and of course the high light of the media event, the iMac (basically, the iMac is considered to be for the following event what iPod nano was to the "It's Only Rock and Roll" event).